Our national budget
Why are people calling this budget vote getting budget? What do you actually want the Honourable Finance Minister to do? There are complaints no matter what — if he makes changes, people complain, if he doesn’t, they still complain. At least he is listening to us and hearing our cries for the betterment of our beloved nation. AVENAI SERUTABUA Nabukelevu Village, Serua
$2b fix plan!
If the $2billion prescription for Fiji’s health future, which was revealed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad (FT 30/06), is true then I pity Fiji’s health sector and the source of funding to address the health sector overhaul. The ambitious plan, which Professor Prasad highlighted, to overhaul the nation’s health system and infrastructure will need the backing of strategic partners in terms of resources and finance. For a developing country like Fiji, $2b is a lot although the investment is critical to save lives and improve the quality of life and health service. Those, who can afford private practitioners, are fortunate, while those, who rely on public healthcare, will hope for this ambitious plan to go through so that they have access to better health facilities and services. It’s a pity that the Coalition Government inherited a severely dilapidated and deteriorated health and education infrastructure, but then the problem needs to be fixed. I agree with Professor Prasad that the state of public facilities, particularly in the health sector, reflected years of neglect that the current administration tried to reverse. It’s time to fix what was left behind. Let’s seek international partnership and engagement and get going! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Frustrating experience!
Whoever that is handling the Ministry Of Housing’s contacts needs a very good hiding! Yesterday, all my attempts to gather live information pertaining to First Time Home Ownership Grant Assistance proved futile! Mobile phone was just ringing, no email correspondence and the website page was ostensibly outdated! Honourable Minister Maciu Katamotu, please look into this pressing issue! It’s just so unbecoming and just totally totally and completely unacceptable! Laxity grossly distorts your name and the Ministry assigned to you is brought to disrepute! Chiuu … Alipate Tuberi Suva
Road safety
Land Transport Authority CEO Irimaia Rokosawa’s valued advice: “Poor steering control can be fatal” (FT6/6) should alert all drivers about road safety. Extreme care on positioning and steering will also help to avoid pot holes, saving lives and accidents with less maintenance on vehicles. Road safety is life safety. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Drunk passed out!
Again, another day of drunks, druggies in our area of Lami. I have a photo taken on Sunday 22/06/2025 at approximately 11.45am of a male passed out on the grass verge at the entrance to the road. Time and time again this issue has been brought to the attention of Lami Police yet there is no proactive action taken, no foot patrols in the area and not real interest shown by Lami Police. Does Lami Police even have an existing proactive community-policing programs for known “hot spots” in Lami. If they say they do, it certainly is not working. This person was passed out at the entrance to a residential road. There are families, the elderly and children that live on this road and we do not want to have our loved ones exposed to this on an almost daily basis. A Lami Police vehicle arrived on the scene at approximately 12.15pm, drove up the road and back down past this person without even getting out the vehicle to check on the status this person, he could have been dead for all they know! They continued on their way, leaving the person lying there without doing anything! So where and who do people turn to now? Sanya Catherine Gain Lami
Black smoke
The people of Lautoka have to deal with thick black and white smoke from the sugar mill. This smoke not only affects our environment but affects a lot of people with breathing issues. So much for COP 31. Narayan Reddy Lautoka
Effective policing
It’s not about having more police personnel, but effectiveness! We can have thousands and millions in one force yet if there is no effectiveness, there is no point. However, I will take this opportunity to thank the honest and hard-working police officers who are always on their toes for our nation. We need an effective one for our Simla area which is full of crime. Kirti Patel Lautoka
VAT issue
The 2.5 per cent VAT decrease will likely go into the pockets of businesses. Will the $4 recharge now cost $3.91? Will the $7.50 movie ticket now cost $7.34? Will the $5 pumpkin soup now cost $4.89? Most likely not. Rather, the VAT rate should have been left at 15 per cent and more items should have been added to the zero-rated listing. For example, bread, breakfast crackers, butter, cheese, oats, Weetbix, cornflakes, fruits, vegetables, nuts, coffee, bottled water, and basic data plans. The added debt would have been lower, and we could have seen some notable price reductions. Kiran Khatri Samabula, Suva
Cart before the horse
The Fiji Times opinion cartoon “Election reflections” (FT7/6) speaks volumes on constitution election system. It can be anyone’s guess that if you put the cart before the horse, the horse will bite you. And if you put it in front it will kick you. A wise man once said on leadership — Don’t walk in front or behind on push or pull factors. Politicians will jump on the band wagon and enjoy the ride. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Drug rehab
Any finance for drug rehabilitation programs and infrastructure? Asish Vinay Prasad Park Rd., Raiwasa, Suva
Longest strike
The Vatukoula miners’ strike has gone down in the history of our country as the longest strike. By compensating them after 34 years, I would like to ask the Government, were the strikers right all along or was it part of their election promise? Oh and how about that bailiff who was killed on duty during that strike? I hope his family will be compensated. Pita Soroaqali Rakiraki
Israel and wealth
Wonderful experience!
I would like to take this opportunity to say a big vinaka vakalevu to The Fiji Times and to the Group Sales manager, Annie Robinson, along with the Crowne Plaza Hotel Nadi for the beautiful getaway weekend. I was the fortunate recipient of two nights accommodation at the Crowne Plaza Nadi, that was organised through Ms Robinson and her team at The Fiji Times and I would assume, Rahul and the marketing team at the Crowne Plaza. The staff throughout the hotel were just terrific. I was treated to genuine smiles and greetings and it seemed the staff could not do enough to ensure we enjoyed our stay. This was an opportunity that I may never have considered under normal circumstances but the warmth of the staff and the beauty of the hotel has left me thirsting for more. Vinaka vakalevu The Fiji Times and the Crowne Plaza for this wonderful experience. Tai Smith Nasinu Sec Sch Rd, Kinoya
Israeli influence
The modern State of Israel influences operations, warrants a closer look at the mechanisms shaping public opinion, particularly in the West. For decades, concerns have been raised about intelligence operations allegedly conducted by the Israeli government, particularly targeting the US. These efforts, spanning over 50 years, are said to influence public perception through various avenues. One area of focus is the entertainment industry, including movies, and the educational sphere, where narratives, including the portrayal of biblical stories and the promotion of Holocaust films, are purportedly shaped. The propagation and promotion of terms like Judeo-Christian, despite the distinct theological tenets of Judaism and Christianity, is also cited as a means to foster a sense of shared heritage and sympathy. Furthermore, reports suggest a consistent program of sponsoring trips to Israel for highly influential individuals across media, politics, education, and religious sectors in the US. Such engagements are seen as instrumental in cultivating strong pro-Israel sentiment among decision-makers and opinion leaders. This concerted influence is believed by some to have significantly impacted US congressional and presidential elections, guiding foreign policy towards outcomes favorable to Israel. A notable aspect of this alleged influence campaign is the promotion of the Scofield Reference Bible. Its specific theological interpretations, particularly regarding the restoration of Israel, are believed to have cultivated deep-seated evangelical Christian support for the modern State of Israel, thus intertwining religious belief with political advocacy. It is crucial for public discourse to openly examine these alleged influence operations and their long-term effects on Western democracies and international relations especially for the powerful country in the world the US. Meli Matanatoto Nadi
Expensive news
A young couple in a Melbourne capital city could spend $AU1 million ($US 0.65 or £0.48 million) to get a small house or larger apartment. There may be other expenses in life including a nice family wedding with maybe a $AU7m engagement ring like the now Mrs Sánchez Bezos has, although that’s only an online estimate. Of course, Mr Bezos can afford it without taking out a loan. An underlying concern about the images of wealth is that most of the world’s population will never have enough money to be comfortable. Too many people live pay cheque to pay cheque and more don’t earn enough to ever improve their lifestyles. Should there be a limit to how much money a person has, irrelevant of how good or generous they are, how hard they work or how much they have improved the world? The money above a limit, maybe $US 10m, could be taken to help the rest of the people get food, housing and an education. Dennis Fitzgerald Melbourne, Australia
